Sheep shearing table



June 9, 1959 L. E. HOYT ETAL SHEEP SHEARING TABLE Filed May 9, 1957 INVENTORS. Zea f. f/oz i BY flaw 4 5/00 mam fi/zo/ w? y Unite 2,889,869 SHEEP SHEARING TABLE Leo Hoyt, Climax, and Paul D. Blanchard, Battle Creek, Mich.

I This invention relates to an apparatus for use in shearing animals which substantially lessens the labor and expedites the searing. The main objects of this invention are,

First, to provide an apparatus for use in shearing anitrials which greatly expedites the shearing and the labor incident thereto.

Second, to provide an apparatus of the character above specified which may be transported or moved about as an assembled unit and positioned for use in the most favorable available light condition.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of an apparatus embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof the locking means for the table shown in Fig. 1 being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view more or less conventionalized illustrating an operator and a sheep in one shearing position on the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating the seat supporting post rotatably mounted on the pedestal.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating certain details of the seat guard and animal support or rest.

The embodiment of our invention illustrated comprises a rectangular base 1 having a tubular chair pedestal 2 mounted thereon adjacent one end of the base and centrally thereof, the pedestal being provided with a base plate 3 receiving the attaching bolts or rivets 4. The pedestal has a transverse hole adjacent the top thereof adapted to receive the supporting pin 5 for the chair post 6 which has a vertical series of holes 7 therein which may be selectively aligned with the hole in the post adapted to receive the supporting pin 5. The pin 5 may also be engaged with the top of the pedestal and when so engaged rotatably support the post. This provides a wide range of adaptation of the chair to the convenience of the user and also enables the user to change positions if desired.

The post is provided with a laterally projecting arm 8 on which the seat 9 is adjustably mounted, the seat being provided with a sleeve 10 slidable on the arm and with a collar 11 provided with a set screw 12 for clamping the seat in its adjusted position longitudinally of the arm. The animal rest and seat guard 13 or guard for the occupant of the seat 9 is mounted on the front end of the arm, the guard member 13 being adjustably supported by its longitudinally slotted bracket 14 engaging the threaded stud 15 which is provided with the winged nut 16.

The table 17, preferably circular, is rotatably mounted on the base member 1 by means of the center post or pivot 18 and an annular series of supporting balls 19. The supporting balls prevent tilting strain on the central table pivot and also minimize friction. The table, in the embodiment illustrated, is provided with a resilient mat States Patent 20 disposed centrally in inwardly spaced relation to the edge of the table, so that a portion of the table is exposed at the outside of the mat to provide a support for the feet of the operator, conventionally shown in Fig. 3. A sheep 21 is shown in one shearing position in Fig. 3, the sheep being seated on the pad which reduces the likelihood of the animals slipping about on the table.

As illustrated, the animal may be held against the rest or support 13 by one arm of the operator while the clippers are manipulated by the operator.

The pivotal mounting of the table enables the operator to swing the animal to various positions to facilitate the shearing operation. Ordinarily it is unnecessary to secure the table in a fixed position, but when desired it may be locked by means of the bolt 22 mounted on the deck to engage one of the angularly spaced series of bore-like keepers 23 in the edge of the table. The rest 13 also serves as a guard for the operator when the animal is facing or partially facing the seat. In the event that it is desired to place the animal in a recumbent position, the animal rest 24 is provided, the rest being pivoted to the base or deck at 25 to swing laterally relative to the table.

With this arrangement of parts the animal =being sheared may be variously positioned to expedite the shearing with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator, and also the apparatus greatly expedites the shearing operation. The seat is adjustable to meet the requirements of a particular operator and it may be non-rotatably supported in a plurality of adjusted positions or by positioning the supporting pin on the top of the pedestal the seat is pivotally supported, thus enabling the operator to change positions which is one way of reducing fatigue.

So far as the applicants have knowledge, it is the present practice and has been the practice for years, for the operator to kneel on the floor and support and manipulate the animal through various required positions. This is quite laborious. Sometimes benches are used, but that also is fatiguing work.

We have illustrated and described a highly practical embodiment of our invention. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for use in shearing animals comprising a base, a chair pedestal mounted on said base, a seat post vertically and rotatably adjustable on said pedestal and having a laterally projecting arm, a seat mounted on said arm, an animal rest mounted on said arm at the front of the seat, and an animal supporting table rotatably mounted on said base at the front of said seat and in a plane spaced below the plane of the seat and positioned with the rear edge of the table adjacent the front of the seat so that the table may be used as a foot rest and rotatably manipulated by the feet of the occupant of the seat and so that an animal positioned on the table may be grasped by and held against said animal rest by the occupant of the seat.

2. An apparatus for use in shearing animals comprising a base, an operator seat mounted on said base, an animal rest for the occupant of the seat mounted on the front of the seat, an animal supporting table rotatably mounted on said base at the front of said seat and positioned below the seat with the rear of the table adjacent the front of the seat so that the table may be used as a foot rest and rotatably manipulated by the feet of the occupant of the seat and so that an animal positioned on the table may be grasped by and held against said animal Patented June 9, 1959.

rest by an occupant of the seat, and means for releasably securing said table in adjusted position.

3. An apparatus for use in shearing animals comprising a base, an operator seat mounted on said base, an

animal rest for the occupant of the seat mounted on the' front of the seat, and an animal supporting table rotatably mounted on said base at the front of said seat and positioned below the seat with the rear of the table adjacent the front of the seat so that the table may be used as a foot rest and rotatably manipulated by the feet of the occupant of the seat and so that an animal positioned on the table may be grasped by and held against said animal rest by an occupant of the seat. 7

4. An apparatus for use in shearing animals comprising a base, a chair pedestal mounted on said base, a post mounted on said pedestal for vertical adjustment and provided with a laterally projecting seat arm of substantial length, a seat mounted on said arm for adjustment longitudinally thereof, an animal rest mounted on said arm at the front of the sent, an animal supporting table rotat ably mounted on said base in a plane below said seat and positioned in front thereof with rear of the table adjacent the front of the seat so as to constitute a foot rest for the occupant of the seat and so that the occupant may rotatably manipulate the table with his feet while an animal is positioned thereon in supported engagement with said rest, and means for locking said table in adjusted position.

5. An apparatus for use in shearing animals comprising a base, a chair pedestal mounted on said 'base, a post mounted on said pedestal for vertical adjustment and provided with a laterally projecting seat arm of substantial length, a seat mounted on said arm for adjustment longitudinally thereof, an animal rest mounted on said arm at the front of the seat, an animal supporting table rotatably mounted on said base in a plane below said seat and positioned in front thereof with rear of the table adjacent the front of the seat so as to constitute a foot rest for the occupant of the seat and so that the occupant may rotatably manipulate the table with his feet while an animal is positioned thereon in supported engagement with said rest, and a second animal rest mounted on said base at one side of said table for adjustment laterally relative to the table to coact therewith in supporting an animal in generally horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 633,021 Mason Sept. 12, 1899 675,161 Levy H May 28, 1901 913,310 Sohreiber Feb. 23, 1909 2,664,941 Gillespie Ian. 5, 1954 2,708,899 Rudolph May 24, I955 FOREIGN PATENTS 127,313 Australia Apr. 5, 1948 

